B Clones (Clones #1) - Laurann Dohner Page 0,83
to her parents. The ache lessened in her chest. “Was this place once some fancy resort? It sounds like a vacation spot.”
He stiffened and stopped moving.
“Sorry. Forget I asked. It’s just that those sound like amenities for a resort. I’m not trying to gain clues to figure out where we are.”
“I know.” He offered his hand to her and smiled. “We can pretend it’s a resort.”
“I’m all for that. I could use a vacation after everything that’s happened. You could, too. We’re quite the couple, aren’t we? Both of us got kidnapped. Me by bad men and you by pirates. You had it worse, though. I was only trapped in that captain’s cabin for two weeks.” She clasped his hand, ready to return to their temporary home.
* * * * *
Hailey watched Magna put away the last clean dish. The meal the android had prepared was delicious. She could understand why Gemma called it a silver lady. The body of it resembled a human, if they had metal skin. But instead of real legs, both lower limbs seemed fused together, with wheels for feet. She felt spoiled from being waited on and not having to lift a finger to enjoy a good dinner.
Blade had left minutes before to spend some time with Big. He’d offered to take her with him, but she didn’t want to intrude on him catching up with his friend. Friends were precious. She didn’t have that many on Prospect. Her closest childhood friends had gotten married shortly after school. They had children and busy lives. That left no time for hanging out with her.
A chime made her startle. She turned her head, visually hunting for the source. The cabin was way nicer than anything she’d ever seen before. The house she’d been raised in was basic, without any fancy features.
The chime sounded again. Hailey stood, not certain where it came from. “Magna?”
The android rolled to the other side of the counter and placed her silver hands on the surface. “What may I prepare for you?”
The chime came again.
“What is that noise?”
The android just stared at her.
The front door suddenly slid open, and Hailey turned. “That was fast.”
It wasn’t Blade returning, though. Gemma leaned in a little and smiled. “Hi. Am I interrupting? You didn’t answer the door. I figured you might be busy, but then I wondered if maybe you’re as clueless as I am about all the bells and whistles that this place comes with.”
“Bells and whistles? I didn’t realize that was the door telling me someone was outside. Come in.”
The blonde entered, the door sealing at her back. “Sorry to barge in, but Big said he was meeting Blade in the control room.” She paused, staring at Magna. “They still creep me out a little,” she whispered.
Hailey looked at the android “Thank you, Magna. You can retire now.”
The android spun and a long cabinet slid open. She rolled inside and it sealed behind her. Hailey faced Gemma again. “I’m not used to such fancy robots. The ones on my planet have square heads, two arms, and their bodies are box-shaped with big rollers for legs. They pull trailers with supplies secured to them. Sometimes they work together in pairs to haul heavy equipment.”
“That sounds worse than what I’ve seen here.”
“Work robots aren’t harmful. They’ve got reliable sensors. No one has ever been injured by one. Do you want to have a seat? Are you thirsty or hungry?”
“I’m good.” Gemma walked to one of the chairs in the living room and plopped down.
Hailey sat across from her on the couch. She had so many questions but didn’t want to be rude. The short explanation Blade had given her about Gemma was that she was the exact cloned copy of a woman who’d once lived on Earth. Right down to every memory. She couldn’t even imagine what that would be like.
“What kind of teacher are you?”
“Reading.”
“So, English teacher?”
“Basically. We just call it reading because if you can do that well, the rest falls in line.”
“Things have sure changed since my day.”
Hailey nodded, trying to avoid anything that would trigger the other woman to get upset. “Thank you for pushing the guys into letting me contact my parents.”
“Big said it went well. I’m so glad. I raised two boys, and I don’t care how old you are, your parents are always going to be concerned about you.”
Hailey shifted in her seat and folded her hands on her lap. Gemma didn’t look old enough for that to be